Nawaf al-Fares

Nawaf al-Fares
Syrian Ambassador to Iraq
In office September 2008 – July 2012
Preceded by	Post reestablished
Succeeded by	Sattam Jadaan Al-Dandah
Personal details
Born	Nawaf al-Fares Abu Kamal, Syria
Nationality	Syrian
Occupation	Defector, Policeman, Governor, Diplomat

Nawaf al-Fares (Arabic: نواف الفارس‎) is the former Syrian ambassador to Iraq who defected from the ruling government led by Bashar al-Assad on 11 July 2012 during the Syrian uprising.

Fares was a veteran of Assad's rule and held senior positions as a leading member of Syria's diplomatic corps under the late president Hafez Assad. He served as high-ranking official of the Syrian Regional Branch of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party in Deir al Zour province. Additionally, Fares held senior security posts in Syria. He is also a former provincial governor. He served as the governor of three significant governorates, Latakia Governorate (until 2000),Idlib Governorate (appointed in 2000) and Quneitra Governorate.

He was the first Syrian ambassador to Baghdad after thirty years. His term as ambassador to Iraq began on 16 September 2008. He resigned both from the Ba'ath Party and as Syria's ambassador to Iraq on 11 July 2012.

Al Jazeera reported on 11 July 2012 that Fares had defected from the Syrian government. His defection was considered to be a significant event in regard to the future of the Syrian uprising. On the same day, Fares posted a video statement on Facebook, arguing that Syrian government forces were killing civilians and that he had joined the ranks of the revolution of the Syrian people. He further called for the members of the Syrian military to join this revolution and to save the country and the citizens. On 12 July 2012, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari told reporters in Paris that Nawaf al Fares is in Qatar.

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